10 (Cheap) Things to Do with Your Kids This Summer

Well, here we are and as of today, there are 11 school days left until summer vacation. My first response is “Sweet, good ole’ summer vacation.” That means Tanner won’t have to get up so early, and we won’t have to rush around the house in the morning trying to get fed, dressed, teeth cleaned and out the door. I won’t have to make his lunch every morning! Oh, and we won’t be doing homework every night! Joy!

Oh, this is going to be good… except… um… how am I going to keep this guy occupied each and every day?

It’s true. One minute I was fired up for summer vacation and the next I realized that I would probably be busier during vacation than when Tanner was in school.

Aside from that, the fact is that things are tight at the moment and I’m assuming that holds true for many of us. With that being the case, I’m starting to think that this summer won’t be filled with too many grand travel plans.

Nonetheless, we won’t be watching TV all day, so I had better start thinking. I thought that perhaps we could think this one through together and bounce some ideas off of each other. I have this list of activities I do with Tanner, but there are times I feel like we do the same things and that my creativity is dwindling.

I’m going to list out some of the low-budget activities I like to do with Tanner. And be sure to respond with a few of your own!

1. A Baseball Game

I wrote about this a few weeks back. Buy some tickets for the bleacher seats, buy some cotton candy, and cruise around the park. There is so much more for a kid to see at a game than the game.

2. Good Ole Fishing

It’s inexpensive and offers a day outside with our children. Actually catching a fish is a bonus.

3. The Airport

It doesn’t have to be a big airport. Locally, we have two small airports that are very busy on the weekends with tons of private aircraft traffic. Most of these small airports offer some sort of eatery where you can get lunch while watching the planes land and take off. Some of us can watch that stuff all day long.

4. Picnic

I prefer to take Tanner out on the local trails and make him earn his lunch, but that’s not necessary to enjoy a picnic. Even a picnic at the local park is special for Tanner. He sees so much more in having a picnic than I do and I forget that sometimes.

5. Backyard Camping

OK, this is by far one of our favorites. Set up the tent, break out a fire pit if you have it, glow sticks, flashlights, and if you’re daring enough, make a rule that you can’t go in the house after dark. I used to do this with my dad and recall those times fondly.

6. The Pool

We don’t own one but we have access to a pool and it can be heaven for both of us. Tanner tends to make friends to play with for the day, and I find myself with plenty of time to read the paper. Of course, this all depends on the age of your children. This plan doesn’t tend to go as smooth if your kids aren’t capable swimmers yet. Don’t give up though, your time will come and when it does the pool becomes a whole new world.

7. The Driving Range

Yep, as in golf. A round of golf can be expensive but hitting a couple of buckets is reasonable. I started bringing Tanner out to the local driving range when he was three and just turned him loose. I didn’t try and teach him a thing aside from not hitting the ball at the person next to you. He would go for 45–60 minutes swinging his little heart out, watching me and learning as he did.

8. Bike Ride

What can I say. Most of us have a bike path or even a school nearby where we can ride safe. Set up some cones for an obstacle course. Make a track the kids can follow or simply throw some snacks in a backpack and ride to a rock somewhere where you can have lunch and talk. I always find Tanner more interested in riding when there is a challenge or we are on a mission such as riding to the lake to go fishing.

9. The Zoo

I’m not so sure the zoo is such a bargain these days, especially if you have a large family, but most will offer a full day of activities from viewing the animals, playing in the parks, riding the zoo train or once again enjoying the ever popular picnic. I will say that our visits to the zoo have inspired Tanner to learn more about the animals on his own time, and for me, that makes paying a bit more worth it.

10. Cooking

I can’t say I know of many kids who don’t like to help out in the kitchen. I made a lemon cheesecake the other day and Tanner was helping along side all the way. Granted, it took a little longer to make and there was a bit more mess than usual, but one would think he just created the first-ever lemon cheesecake based on his bragging to family and friends.

The suggestions listed above are activities that Tanner and I have done together for a few years now. I love that they are fun activities that we can do together, but more importantly, I enjoy that they provide me an opportunity to continually educate Tanner. If we are at the airport, I talk to him about the different types of aircraft. If we are on a hike, I will quiz him on the flowers that he sees and tell him about the history of the area. When we camp in the backyard, we talk about the stars. He has never had so much fun learning.

Now, I’m ready to learn from you. I would be grateful if you could pass along some summer activities that I might do with Tanner this summer. There will be a lot of days this summer vacation where Tanner will wake up and ask, “Dad, what are we doing today?” I think I’m going to need all the help I can get!

Tagged as: outdoors, summer